On November 1st, Skylum released a new filter for Luminar 2018 called AI Sky Enhancer. It’s a free update if you have already purchased Luminar. However, if you have not you can try it for free for 30 days by clicking on this link. If you decide to buy it use the coupon code “SNAPSHOT” to get $10 off.

This course will help you to understand how to use Lightroom for all of your image editing needs. I cover everything from organizing your images to printing to slideshows. Every module is covered. This course is also frequently updated with the latest information and techniques. The course covers Lightroom versions 4, 5, and 6/CC.

This course is almost 100% video lessons with some supporting notes and references. The course has more than 46 lessons and I'm constantly adding new lessons. You will have access to me through Udemy's discussion tab for answering all of your questions and checking out your progress with your image editing.

You should take this course if you are new to using Lightroom or if you are experienced and just need to learn more details about how the program works. This course does start at the beginning but then goes to an advanced level.

Luminar is an image editing program made by Skylum. It is easy to use and quite powerful and could possibly be used instead of Adobe’s Lightroom. Why consider using Luminar, because it’s much cheaper than Lightroom and Photoshop. The main drawback to switching to Luminar has been that there was no way to organize and rate your images. This is all about to change in December of 2018 when Skylum plans to add a Library tool to Luminar and it will be a free update for anyone that owns Luminar 2018. Use my Coupon Code “SNAPSHOT” to get $10 Off.

That’s not all, on November 1st, there will be an update to Luminar 2018 that adds AI Sky Enhancer. This filter was created for photographers who would rather focus on creating photos, and have neither the time or inclination to spend hours correcting their images.

By moving a single slider you can add depth, definition, and detail to the sky without exposing unwanted artifacts or affecting any other aspect of the image.

No one wants boring skies in their photos, and restoring and improving the sky is one of the most important things while creating a masterpiece. We’ve done our best to make this process as simple as it can be - the new AI Sky Enhancer creates no halos, automatically detects the edges of the sky and recognizes the sky even inside other objects such as bridges.

And not just for beautifully colored leaves. This fall try slowing down and really observing your surroundings. You never know what you’ll see. On a recent trek through a local nature trail I discovered a nice variety of wild mushrooms and learned that they make great photographic subjects. If you can identify any of these mushrooms, please post in a comment below. Click on the images to see them larger.

Skylum, formerly know as MacPhun, will be releasing a new version of Aurora HDR 2019 on October 4th but you can pre-order the software today and get some special bonuses. I’ll put the pre-order link and details below. MacPhun used to make great image editing software for the Mac, but they have re-invented themselves as Skylum and now offer their software for both Mac and PCs.

Why do you need an HDR program or plugin? Well it all comes down to dynamic range. When you look at something with your eyes you can see about 20 stops of light which means you can see details in the shadows and in the highlights of a scene. The problem is your camera isn’t as good as your eyes and most cameras can only capture about 10-12 stops of dynamic range. This means that you will end up with some images that have over exposed highlights or underexposed shadows.

The solution to this problem is to take a series of bracketed exposures ( like -2 ev, 0, and +2 ev) and combine them with an HDR program like Aurora HDR 2019. It helps to take these images with a tripod so you get exactly the same shot every time. This will allow you to use all of the best parts of the exposures and to combine them into one image that has the correct exposure throughout the entire image. Did you forget to take a bracketed series of images? No problem, Aurora HDR can extract the most information possible out of a single image and the final result will have more detail throughout your exposure.

I have used Nik HDR Effects and Lightrooms HDR processing and I have to say that I think Aurora HDR 2019 is the best in class and definitely the most up to date and modern software for creating HDR images. First of all Aurora HDR is fairly simple to use, but most importantly I think it gives you the most creative options for processing your image. There are plenty of Looks, LUTs, and adjustment tools that you can use to customize your image more than any other plugin I’ve seen.

I highly recommend Aurora HDR 2019 because it can really help take your images to the next level. It offers totally none destructive editing with a new and improved History panel which will allow you to revert back to any point in your editing workflow. Here are a few more details about the new version.

Skylum’s Quantum HDR Engine harnesses the power of AI for a more streamlined editing experience than ever before. It reduces burned-out colors, loss of contrast, noise and unnatural lighting caused by halos and unstable deghosting.

The Quantum HDR Engine has taken three years to create within Skylum’s AI lab, and contains the vast knowledge of the development team paired with artificial intelligence to bring you seamless HDR editing, be it with a single image or multiple bracketed shots.

Skylum’s developers tested thousands of bracketed shots through a neural network, and used the results to develop the technology needed for creating incredible HDR photographs - whether it’s real estate, landscape, cityscape or any other type of HDR photography.

Here are the most essential changes:

New Quantum HDR Engine

LUTs support with 11 New Integrated LUTs

Photoshop plugins support

New HDR Smart Structure filter for realistic and artefact-free structure (can be found in the new HDR Enhance filter)

Presets are now called ‘Looks’

Improved Adjustable Gradient filter with new sliders for Shadows and Highlights added

Improved HDR Details Boost Effect (the photo is shown in high-resolution while fine-tuning the filter)

Aurora HDR 2019 will be available for pre-order on September, 12, and released on October, 4.

Pre-Order Pricing:

Current users may upgrade at a price of $49 USD ($59 USD MSRP)

New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2019 at a price of $89 USD ($99 USD MRSP)

Pre-Order Bonuses:

Video Tutorial: Getting the Most from Aurora HDR 2019 by Trey Ratcliff

The Fujifilm X-T3's video specs are so impressive that the camera it most makes sense to compare its output to is Panasonic's GH5. With a little help from the DPReviewTV crew in Calgary, we've shot some side-by-side comparisons between these two video powerhouses. We've shot them both at matched exposure settings and approximately matched depth-of-field setting.

Along with the announcement of EOS R, are four high-quality RF lenses that will expand photographers' world of expressions. The line-up of RF lenses are: * RF28-70mm F2 L USM * RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM * RF 50mm F1.2 L USM * RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM EOS R is also compatible with the full line of EF lenses via a choice of mount adapters.

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the next revolution in the company’s long history of innovative and award-winning camera systems, the EOS R system featuring the newly designed RF mount. Recognizing the need to advance optical design, the Company sought to create a versatile and powerful new system that supports all current EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses[i], and also provides the optical advancements and engineering flexibility to build upon for years to come.

When Canon set forth to develop a new interchangeable lens camera system, they focused on three core optical principles: high-image quality, high-specification performance, and compact design. Recognizing that optics is the foundation for any camera system, the RF mount was conceived to open new doors in optical design. Canon’s new RF mount features the same size diameter as the EF mount (54mm) and shorter back focus distance. This allows for lenses to sit closer to the sensor (the focal plane) and allowed Canon optical engineers to reimagine lens design utilizing larger rear lens elements to produce an image on the full-frame sensor. This new optical formula has paved the way for higher performing lenses. In addition, the Canon RF mount features a high-speed 12-pin communication system that provides faster and more in-depth communication between the camera and lens over existing Canon mount systems.

The EOS R system is designed for full, uninhibited compatibility with all existing EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses through the use of mount adapters[ii]. In addition, through the use of the optional Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter or Control Ring Mount Adapter these lenses, in fact, gain functionality.

“There has never been a time in history in which visual expression has been so prolific. Imaging, both still and video, are the communication mediums of today’s society. Much in the same way we learned to type in the past, today’s youth are skilled in shooting, editing, and visual storytelling in ways that only the masters of each craft were decades ago,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Knowing this, we needed to step back and design a system that delivers all the creative expression and functionality today’s youth crave, now and in the years to come.”

The First in a New System: The EOS R

The new Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera features a 30.3 megapixel CMOS sensor that is powered by the Company’s latest image processor, DIGIC 8, enabling shooting at up to 8.0 frames per second[iii]. The new camera inherits a lot from Canon’s legacy in both EOS and Cinema EOS. Video storytellers can capture stunning 4K UHD video up to 30fps and record in 10-bit 4:2:2 (with an external recorder). The EOS R also comes with the ability to shoot Canon Log, providing 12 stops of dynamic range, minimal loss of detail in shadows and highlighted areas and an increased range of choices when color grading. Users with an existing collection of Canon lenses will be excited to know that all EF and EF-S lens are compatible with the camera. In order to do so, photographers and videographers can choose between using one of three new mount adapters, each uniquely designed to meet the individual needs of the user.

The new Canon EOS R camera features Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus with 5,655 manually selectable AF points[iv], supporting AF at up to f/11 with a 384 zone (24x16) real-time metering system. With f/1.2 lenses, the camera astonishingly boasts AF sensitivity in low light in as little as EV-6. When using the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens with the EOS R, the camera can focus in as little as 0.05 seconds with Dual Pixel CMOS AF[v], making it the fastest autofocus speed in the world[vi]. These features provide photographers and videographers with Canon’s most advanced AF system to date. The EOS R also features a silent shutter setting when shooting in single-shot mode; an important feature for those who need to capture imagery without disrupting the scene. An upcoming free firmware update will enable silent shutter in continuous shooting mode as well.

“The EOS R system is not just a new camera or a new lens mount, it is a new design that will allow us to produce visual tools that were previously impossible, and allow our customers to tell their stories with greater depth, richness of color, and creative flexibility, in optically stunning ways.” states Kazuto Ogawa

Thoughts From the First Users

“I think every camera system has its place and it’s all about having the right tool for the job,” reported acclaimed outdoor photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Jimmy Chin. “The new EOS R system for me in particular is very useful for the kind of shooting that I do in the mountains, where I need to worry about the size and weight. Having the option to use the new RF lenses or the EF lenses is really great.”

“I was instantly impressed with how quickly the EOS R was able to focus,” remarked celebrated fashion photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Lindsay Adler. “Whether my subject was moving or I was shooting in near-complete darkness, I had no problem getting tack-sharp focus in every shot. It was a relief to know my gear wasn’t going to hold me back from executing my vision, but instead it would really help me to execute this vision.”

“For us, it's all about getting the shot no one else can get, and a lot of this has to do with the camera,” says Devin Graham, director and filmmaker behind YouTube’s DevinSuperTramp. “The new EOS R will become one of our main cameras. It has a very small footprint, yet is able to create amazing images. As for the lenses, the new RF 28-70mm F2 has just become one of my all-time favorites. I’ll be bringing it on every project.”

Conveniently placed just to the right of the EVF, Canon has introduced a new Multi-Function Bar that will allows users to more easily access their customizable settings, such as AF, ISO and White Balance. Users will have the option to either slide or tap the bar to gain access to the settings and adjust on-the-go as they deem necessary depending on each particular shooting situation.

Answering the demand for enhanced mobile editing of RAW image files, Canon is also announcing a new application, Digital Photo Professional Express (DPP Express). In combination with an updated Canon Camera Connect App, DPP Express enables users to send, view, edit and process CR3 RAW files on their iPad[vii]. A free download of the app will be available October 2018.

The Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2299* for the body only. It will also be sold as a body-and-lens kit with the new RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens for $3399*.

[i] When attaching an EF-S lens via any of Canon’s new R-series mount adapters, the new EOS R automatically switches to APS-C crop mode.

[ii] When attaching an EF-S lens via any of Canon’s new R-series mount adapters, the new EOS R automatically switches to APS-C crop mode.

[iii] Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the shutter speed, the aperture, the lens being used, the battery charge and various camera settings.

[iv] Available AF points may decrease when shooting with AF cropping or in movie mode, or depending on camera settings or lens attached.

[v] Based on results of AF speed tests in accordance with CIPA guidelines. Results may vary depending on shooting conditions and lens in use. Relies on internal measurement method.

Brightness at time of distance measurement: EV12(regular temperature, ISO 100)

[vi] Among interchangeable lens digital mirrorless cameras incorporating 35mm full frame equivalent image sensors with phase-difference detection AF on the image plane and contrast detection AF, available in the market as of September 5th, 2018 (Based on Canon's Research).